THE SEA- SWINE. 71 



vent is equi- distant from the depression and the 

 caudal fin. The caudal fin is formed of two lobes 

 rounded at the points, and slightly grooved. The 

 colour of the whole superior surface is of a black- 

 ish blue: the belly whitish. The length from six 

 to eight feet. 



This animal, which is considered an excellent 

 swimmer, habitually carries the head and tail curv- 

 ed downwards, and in consequence, shows nothing 

 but the back when it comes to the surface to breathe; 

 but as soon as it is dead, it extends itself in a 

 straight line. They feed on small fish, which they 

 pursue with inconceivable swiftness. The sea- 

 swine are almost always seen in troops, especially 

 in their sexual season, which is in the month of 

 August. It is then common to see ten or fifteen 

 males in pursuit of a single female, and they press 

 on with so much ardour, that they are often strand- 

 ed on the beach before they are aware of their 

 situation. The young are carried ten months; only 

 one is brought forth at a time. An embrion, extract- 

 ed from the mother by Klein, was about twenty - 

 one inches long. The young one constantly fol- 

 lows the mother until weaned. 



The flesh of this animal is oily and disagreeable. 

 The Laplanders, Greenlanders, and others eat it. 

 In some parts of the world they are killed for the 

 sake of their oil and skins. 



